Whispering Willow Lace Doily Free Pattern – Crochet a Heirloom Garden Medallion

Bring timeless elegance to your table with this intricate doily, featuring delicate leaf motifs and a scalloped edge that catches the light. A perfect weekend project for crocheters seeking a graceful, vintage-inspired centerpiece. This pattern creates a stunning 12-inch circular medallion that evokes the charm of heirloom lace, with a crisp, airy texture that drapes beautifully on any surface.

Whether you're an experienced thread crocheter or a confident beginner ready for a challenge, this doily pattern offers a rewarding journey through 22 rounds of increasing complexity. The result is a breathtaking piece that will become a treasured family heirloom, perfect for adorning dining tables, sideboards, or as a decorative accent under a vase or candle holder.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crochet experience:

• Yarn: Size 10 crochet thread in ecru or ivory (approximately 150 yards). The fine thread creates the delicate, lacy appearance characteristic of traditional doilies.
• Hook: Steel crochet hook size 7 (1.65 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge. A steel hook is essential for working with fine thread and maintaining consistent tension.
• Gauge: First 5 rounds measure 2 inches in diameter. Achieving the correct gauge ensures your doily will be the intended size and have the proper drape.
• Additional Supplies: Stitch markers to track rounds, sharp scissors for weaving in ends, and blocking pins and a blocking mat for the final shaping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Notes: Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to track rounds. Ch-3 at beginning of rounds counts as a dc unless noted. This pattern builds progressively, with each round adding more stitches and chain spaces to create the intricate medallion design.

Foundation Rounds (1-5)

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st. 2 dc in each dc around. Join with sl st. (24 dc)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc. Repeat from * to * around, ending with ch 1, skip last dc. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 ch-1 spaces)

Round 4: Sl st into first ch-1 space. Ch 3, 2 dc in same space. Ch 2, skip next dc. *3 dc in next ch-1 space, ch 2, skip next dc. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 groups of 3 dc, 12 ch-2 spaces)

Round 5: Sl st into next 2 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (this is the middle dc of the group). Ch 3, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 3. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 3, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-3 spaces)

Expanding the Medallion (Rounds 6-10)

Round 6: Sl st into first ch-3 space. Ch 3, 2 dc in same space. Ch 1. *3 dc in next ch-3 space, ch 1. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 3 dc, 24 ch-1 spaces)

Round 7: Sl st into next 2 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle dc). Ch 4, skip next ch-1 space, sc in next ch-1 space, ch 4. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 4, skip next ch-1 space, sc in next ch-1 space, ch 4. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-4 spaces)

Round 8: Sl st into first ch-4 space. Ch 3, 3 dc in same space. Ch 2. *4 dc in next ch-4 space, ch 2. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 4 dc, 24 ch-2 spaces)

Round 9: Sl st into next 3 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle of group). Ch 5, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 5. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 5, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 5. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-5 spaces)

Round 10: Sl st into first ch-5 space. Ch 3, 4 dc in same space. Ch 3. *5 dc in next ch-5 space, ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 5 dc, 24 ch-3 spaces)

Creating the Leaf Motifs (Rounds 11-15)

Round 11: Sl st into next 4 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle of group). Ch 6, skip next ch-3 space, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 6. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 6, skip next ch-3 space, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 6. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-6 spaces)

Round 12: Sl st into first ch-6 space. Ch 3, 5 dc in same space. Ch 4. *6 dc in next ch-6 space, ch 4. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 6 dc, 24 ch-4 spaces)

Round 13: Sl st into next 5 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle of group). Ch 7, skip next ch-4 space, sc in next ch-4 space, ch 7. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 7, skip next ch-4 space, sc in next ch-4 space, ch 7. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-7 spaces)

Round 14: Sl st into first ch-7 space. Ch 3, 6 dc in same space. Ch 5. *7 dc in next ch-7 space, ch 5. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 7 dc, 24 ch-5 spaces)

Round 15: Sl st into next 6 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle of group). Ch 8, skip next ch-5 space, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 8. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 8, skip next ch-5 space, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 8. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-8 spaces)

Deepening the Lace Pattern (Rounds 16-20)

Round 16: Sl st into first ch-8 space. Ch 3, 7 dc in same space. Ch 6. *8 dc in next ch-8 space, ch 6. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 8 dc, 24 ch-6 spaces)

Round 17: Sl st into next 7 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle of group). Ch 9, skip next ch-6 space, sc in next ch-6 space, ch 9. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 9, skip next ch-6 space, sc in next ch-6 space, ch 9. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-9 spaces)

Round 18: Sl st into first ch-9 space. Ch 3, 8 dc in same space. Ch 7. *9 dc in next ch-9 space, ch 7. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 9 dc, 24 ch-7 spaces)

Round 19: Sl st into next 8 dc. Ch 3, dc in same st (middle of group). Ch 10, skip next ch-7 space, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 10. *Dc in middle dc of next group, ch 10, skip next ch-7 space, sc in next ch-7 space, ch 10. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 12 sc, 24 ch-10 spaces)

Round 20: Sl st into first ch-10 space. Ch 3, 9 dc in same space. Ch 8. *10 dc in next ch-10 space, ch 8. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 10 dc, 24 ch-8 spaces)

Finishing with the Scallop Edge (Rounds 21-22)

Round 21 (Scallop Edge): Sl st into next 9 dc. Ch 1, sc in same st (middle dc). *Ch 5, skip next ch-8 space, sc in middle dc of next group. Repeat from * around, but on the last repeat, ch 5, skip last ch-8 space, join with sl st to first sc. (24 ch-5 loops)

Round 22: Sl st into first ch-5 loop. Ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-5 loop around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Blocking Your Doily

Blocking is essential for this project to achieve the beautiful, flat, circular shape and to open up the lace pattern. Soak the doily in lukewarm water with a mild soap for about 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (never wring). Lay the doily on a blocking mat and pin it out to its full 12-inch diameter, shaping the scalloped edges carefully. Allow it to dry completely before removing the pins. The result will be a crisp, professionally finished doily with beautifully defined leaf motifs and a delicate scalloped border.

This Whispering Willow Lace Doily is more than just a crochet project—it's a piece of art that will grace your home for years to come. The rhythmic repetition of the pattern is meditative and rewarding, and the finished piece will be a testament to your skill and patience. Enjoy the process and the beautiful result!